WCU June Newsletter
Welcome to the WCU June Newsletter! As we move into the summer term, we are proud to celebrate another exciting month of creativity, partnership, learning, and community achievement across all of our projects and schools. May was filled with unforgettable experiences for children and families, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make these opportunities possible.
June and July are also filled with important national celebration and awareness days that schools across the WCU network will be recognising through assemblies, creative activities, workshops, and themed learning experiences. During June, many schools will take part in National Wellbeing Day activities focused on mindfulness, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing, movement, and positive mental health. Children will have opportunities to enjoy relaxation activities, outdoor games, creative expression, and discussions around self-care and kindness.
Schools will also celebrate World Environment Day with eco projects, gardening, recycling activities, and nature learning linked to Forest School and sustainability projects taking place across WCU. Refugee Week will provide opportunities for children to learn about community, belonging, diversity, and inclusion through storytelling, art, music, and cultural activities.
As we move further into the summer term, schools will continue celebrating Pride Month, Healthy Eating Week, and cultural diversity activities that encourage children to appreciate different backgrounds, talents, and experiences within their communities. Sports Day events and outdoor activity days will also promote teamwork, resilience, confidence, and physical wellbeing.
Many schools are planning special transition activities for children moving into new year groups, helping pupils feel confident and prepared for the next stage of their learning journey. End-of-year celebration assemblies, performances, art exhibitions, and community showcases will also take place throughout July as schools come together to celebrate children’s achievements, creativity, and progress across the year.
One of the highlights of the month for us at WCU was our Floating Classroom programme along the canal. Children and families enjoyed boat trips, storytelling, art activities, nature learning, and intergenerational sessions that brought people together in a truly special way. We were delighted to be joined by Age UK and Axis who supported activities and helped create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all generations to enjoy together. The Floating Classroom continues to be one of our most successful community projects and we are already planning even more sessions for the summer holidays.
We are also excited to announce the return of the WCU Recycled Fashion Show, now entering its second year. Last year’s event was full of creativity, confidence, and imagination as children designed incredible outfits from recycled materials and transformed everyday objects into wearable art. Preparations are already underway for this year’s show, with children collecting materials, sketching ideas, and creating decorations. Our Art Club pupils and children taking part in the May and June Art Exhibition have been heavily involved in producing props, painted displays, and creative backdrops that will be featured during the event.
Another major project already creating excitement across schools is our annual Disney production, now entering its fourth year. This year we will be bringing Disney’s Lion King to life following the success of last year’s Frozen production and the much-loved Aladdin performance the year before. Children have already begun designing scenery, painting giant backdrops, and creating props and costumes. One of the things that makes WCU productions unique is that many of the stage sets and decorations are designed and made by the children themselves through Art Club and creative workshops. Their ideas, teamwork, and artistic talent continue to amaze us every year.
Across our partner schools there have been many fantastic educational visits and enrichment opportunities taking place. St Joseph's RC Primary School recently enjoyed exciting trips including visits to the zoo and the Puppet Barge, where children experienced storytelling, theatre, and outdoor learning in engaging and memorable ways. The enthusiasm shown by pupils throughout these experiences has been wonderful to see.
At St Augustine's CE High School preparations are underway for their upcoming Pop-Up Beach visit this June, alongside their Community Diversity Day which will celebrate culture, inclusion, creativity, and community spirit. Students will have opportunities to participate in performances, activities, and collaborative projects that reflect the rich diversity within their school community.
Following the success of April’s Dragon Meet project, we are thrilled to welcome Mythic Minds into schools from June through to September. Mythic Minds will work alongside schools including St Augustine's CE High School to deliver imaginative projects inspired by storytelling, mythology, drama, literacy, and creativity. These workshops encourage children to explore ideas through performance, art, and collaborative learning while building confidence and communication skills. Plans are already being developed for an even bigger creative project next term involving several schools across the WCU network.
There are also many fantastic free opportunities for families to enjoy across Central London this June. Families can explore the beautiful gardens and fountains at Southbank Centre, visit free exhibitions at the Tate Modern and British Museum, or enjoy outdoor performances and street entertainment around Covent Garden. Children can also take part in nature walks through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, visit the free galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum, or enjoy community festivals and pop-up summer activities taking place throughout the city during half term and weekends.
Looking ahead, June and July will continue to be packed with exciting opportunities for children and families including Forest School, Coding and Play Club, summer trips, art exhibitions, performances, and community events. We are proud that so many of these opportunities remain free and accessible to families, helping ensure that children can continue to explore, learn, and create together throughout the year.
Thank you once again to all schools, parents, artists, volunteers, partners, and community organisations who continue to support WCU projects and help make these experiences possible for our children. Together we are building creativity, confidence, friendships, and stronger communities every single day.
WCU — Explore • Learn • Create • Belong